President Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their exchange, further raising strains between the two countries following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has drug factories and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions and Claims
Addressing reporters on Sunday, the US president suggested analogous military action against Colombia, asserting Colombia is “very sick too” and “run by an unwell individual who likes making the drug and distributing it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the leading cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Strained Partnership
The country for decades served as a close partner of Washington in the campaign against narcotics trade and benefited from bipartisan support in Washington, but relations have deteriorated dramatically following Trump assumed the presidency.
Its drug trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like the Clan del Golfo, the ELN guerrilla group and dissident factions of the former Farc guerrillas, most of its former fighters laid down arms following a historic peace agreement.
The President's Firm Answer
In response to a query whether military intervention similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump said: "I like the sound of that from my perspective."
President Petro, a former leftist guerrilla who left armed struggle in the 1990s, rejected the accusations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he affirmed.
"The US president speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he wrote in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will become a multitude of fighters in the hills. And should they arrest the nation's leader, which many of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
Petro spent a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever participated in combat. Following his disarmament, he participated in drafting the constitutional rewrite in the early 90s and eventually served as a prominent senator. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá before winning president.
"I made a vow to never again hold arms again ... but for the homeland I shall resume weapons once more," he said.
Increased Security and Widespread Condemnation
Colombia's defense chief reported that the national leader's security detail had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s political right have sided with Trump, but voices from all sides of the ideological divide have condemned the threats of a US attack targeting Colombia.
Political and Economic Sanctions
Washington revoked his travel authorization subsequent to he urged US military personnel to ignore orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and several close collaborators.
Simultaneously while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and striking suspected drug boats to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets have also conducted attacks against vessels in the eastern Pacific region adjacent to Colombia.
